Police probe Lake Oanob as drowning victims are named

JEMIMA BEUKES REHOBOTHPolice are investigating a number of red flag issues related to the fatal drowning of three men - George Albertus Izaaks, Rasjiv Nathan Dentlinger and Bjorn Charlton van Wyk – at Lake Oanob Dam Resort outside Rehoboth on Saturday.This was confirmed by Namibian Police crime investigations coordinator for the Hardap Region, Deputy Commissioner Eric Clay, who said no suspects have yet been identified in the matter.The resort is owned by Christie Benade, a prominent Swapo-linked businessman at the town.A heavy cloud of despair hung over Rehoboth on Sunday as divers searched for hours for the bodies of the three men.Izaaks was aged 25, while Dentlinger and Van Wyk were both 27.The police have since opened a culpable homicide case while investigating a number of red flags such as the fact that the deceased did not have life jackets on and that the boat they were cruising in allegedly ran out of fuel. “There does not have to be a suspect necessarily. We are investigating all the events leading up to the drowning. The investigation will lead us. About the life jackets, if it is a boat, people must have life jacket, isn’t it?” Clay said. ‘We don’t police water’The management of Lake Oanob Resort has washed its hands of the incident, saying it was a private vessel and not one of the resort’s.Asked about the alleged lack of life jackets, Charlotte Benade, who spoke on behalf of the lodge, said: “It was not a lodge vessel; what would you like me to say about that?”According to Benade, there is a very simple process to make sure all boats that enter the lodge are registered and should adhere to minimum safety regulations.“I spoke to the Namibia Tourism Board this morning and there is no Act or regulation where inland water vessels are policed in that regard. Like saying if I have a car, my car must have seatbelt to be roadworthy,” she said. jemima@namibiansun.com

Police probe Lake Oanob as drowning victims are named

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-29

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Police probe Lake Oanob as drowning victims are named

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-29

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